Mars has a complex supply chain network that includes sourcing from four continents; manufacturing at seven domestic Mars plants; as well as a network of twenty co

$-$

manufacturers. From the production sites, goods are shipped to five

$3$

PL regional distribution centers

$($

RDCs

$)$

$$before delivering to Mars customers. The RDCs lack visibility to customer orders before they are released for fulfillment

$$

$$despite many orders being placed days prior to release, and in the case of seasonal, sometimes months in advance.